in service
Navy Ensign Courtney E. Natter, daughter of Claudia K. and Robert J. Natter of Ponte Vedra Beach, recently graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy.

Heritage walk marks 240th anniversary
A Heritage Walk is planned for June 26, marking the arrival of six boats from the Isle of Menorca 240 years ago. Six of the eight boats traveling to New Smyrna stopped here before continuing on their journey.

Five going to service academies
Five St. Johns County high school graduates will be attending service academies in the fall, Rep. John Mica announced in a statement Wednesday.

Navy League salutes Coast Guard
The 50-foot, 1,000-horsepower speedboat with a suspected drug shipment was hiding in an inlet off the Inland Waterway between Daytona and St. Augustine. It was spotted by a Coast Guard MH65C helicopter from the HITRON Drug Interdiction squadron. The crew noted suspicious activity aboard the boat. Armed with an M-240 machine gun and a .50-caliber rifle, the chopper is a formidable foe. The drug boat ran for daylight, but the chopper stuck with the boat. The drug runners knew they were finished, and they threw down their submachine guns. A Coast Guard 25-foot Defender patrol boat sped in for the capture and arrest.

Wheelchair-bound experience freedom
They have played basketball and rugby. They've gone kayaking. They've been in numerous races. Now they can scratch riding horses off their bucket list.

When in doubt turn on your lights
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, David B. Shoar Sheriff - Bi-monthly Question and Answer Column, "Ask Deputy Joe" is available to anyone interested in asking him question.

Just a little Sparks
n 2007, Jordin Sparks became the youngest person to ever win American Idol (Season 6). A little over a year later, the 18-year-old songstress has performed the national anthem at Super Bowl XLII and released her self-titled, debut album on Jive Records.

Cyrus surprised by photo
NEW YORK -- Billy Ray Cyrus says he wasn't around when Annie Leibovitz photographed his 15-year-old daughter, Miley, wrapped in a sheet with her back exposed, for the June issue of Vanity Fair magazine.

Make a child's first fishing experience memorable
It was the kind of fishing that a kid would love. There was enough breeze coming up our St. Johns to keep the temperature comfortable, yet not enough to make my old Action-Craft flats boat bob and roll.

Bake gluten-free pizza crust longer
This gluten-free pizza crust tastes great, but calls for a slightly unusual method. It is shaped and partially baked prior to adding the toppings. This is because gluten-free dough is much softer than standard pizza dough. Without pre-cooking, the toppings would soak into the crust and make it soggy.

Prepare for hurricane season now
Dear Readers: Hurricane season has just begun -- it runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Will your family have to deal with the flooding, high winds and rain that can come with a major storm? Now is the time to prepare!

Recipe for baked egg custard located
Juanita McNeill of Marston, N.C., was looking for a recipe for an old-fashioned egg custard like the one her grandmother used to make. Trudy Garthe of Bellaire, Mich., saw McNeill's request in her local paper, the Traverse City Record-Eagle. Coincidentally, she had just made an egg custard for her father.

Go organic, go local
Many people have misconceptions about organic products being unaffordable. There are many organic choices available at reasonable prices. Due to rising gas prices, many people are looking locally for organically grown foods rather than buying overpriced products from bigger markets. Organic products are grown without use of pesticides and fertilizers. They might be slightly more expensive than processed foods, but the health benefits outweigh expenses.

Summer blood donors to receive coffee, pie
Blood Center of the St. Johns-The Blood Alliance announced Village Inn has donated coupons for blood donors to receive a free slice of pie and cup of coffee this summer.

Cranberry juice useful
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: In the past few weeks, there have been a couple of letters to you regarding urinary tract infections.

How to prevent water illnesses
The St. Johns County Health Department along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages everyone to enjoy summer activities by making wise choices to protect personal health and safety. We want to remind individuals of the importance of healthy swimming behaviors in preventing recreational water illnesses.

Even best efforts can't prevent all heart attacks
NEW YORK -- Tim Russert was a good patient, taking medications for his heart disease and exercising, his doctor said. He had no chest pains and he passed an exercise stress test weeks ago. Yet at 58, he suffered a heart attack and died.

SJRCC conducts nursing pinning ceremony for 31
St. Johns River Community College recently held a pinning ceremony to recognize the Associate of Science in Nursing students. The pinning ceremony symbolized the "rite of passage into the nursing profession," said Virginia McColm, SJRCC's dean of nursing. The pin is a reminder to the 31 graduates of their purpose to serve the sick and infirmed.

Problem drinker? you're not alone
Problem drinking comes in a range of severity and demographic subtypes but is quite common and substantially undertreated, according to several recent studies.

Watch out for rip currents in ocean
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida is promoting education and understanding of rip tides in our coastal waters. Gov. Charlie Crist encourages "all Floridians and visitors to safely enjoy our coastal beaches and resources throughout the year, and know what to do if caught in a rip current."

Hepatitis C outlook generally good
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am always looking for information on hepatitis C. My son had surgery years ago and had to have a blood transfusion.

CIA advised military on Guantanamo questioning
WASHINGTON -- The CIA, which had authority to use harsh interrogation techniques on suspected terrorist detainees, advised U.S. military officials at Guantanamo in 2002 on how far they could go in extracting information from captives there, documents released at a Senate hearing Tuesday show.

States weigh options in offshore oil fight
PENSACOLA -- Governors in some coastal states promised to block attempts to tap offshore petroleum reserves, citing concerns about the environment and tourism. Others agreed with President Bush's call to lift a 27-year-old federal ban on offshore drilling but said states should decide whether to allow it.

Russert's grand goodbye
WASHINGTON -- Luke Russert has his father's sense of mischief. Speaking to the well-heeled mourners at Tim Russert's funeral Wednesday, he read his father's favorite biblical passage: To whom much is given, much is expected.

Trio of 'super-Earths' found circling star
WASHINGTON -- European astronomers have found a trio of "super-Earths" closely circling a star that astronomers once figured had nothing orbiting it, demonstrating that planets keep popping up in unexpected places.

Commissioners want new style for hotel
The height of a proposed hotel in St. Augustine Beach doesn't bother city commissioners, but they want a new architectural style for the building - one that's less 1960s and more Key West.

Sheriff's Office launches 'Move Over Florida'
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office and government officials have announced a special crackdown during the week of June 23-29 for drivers who fail to obey Florida's Move Over Act and yield to law enforcement and other emergency vehicles responding to calls on St. Johns County roads.

Airport sued over $41.34 invoice
St. Augustine Airport Authority this week directed its attorney to negotiate with a St. Augustine businessman who filed a small claims lawsuit against the board for $41.34.

Plant awarded Navy contract
St. Augustine's Northrop Grumman plant on U.S. 1 North was awarded a contract worth $7.2 million to build engine components for the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft series, the company announced Wednesday.

Martinez touts city's 450th
Calling St. Augustine "our first blending pot of cultures," U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez began the process Tuesday to get a federal commission under way to help celebrate the city's 450th birthday.

Brunson decides to run for District 5 seat
St. Augustine builder Randy Brunson announced late Tuesday that he will run for the soon-to-be-vacant District 5 St. Johns County Commission seat instead of seeking to win District 3, as he had planned.

Rare loggerhead sighting at Vilano Beach
At a sunrise Wednesday, three sea turtle patrollers spotted something that most people will never see: a loggerhead sea turtle laid her eggs on the beach and returned to the ocean.

Park to become a reality at last
A St. Augustine neighborhood park that features a skating area will soon become a reality, after it was stalled for months because of lack of funding.

Three injuries caused by accident
Firefighters had to cut off the roof and doors of a sport utility vehicle Wednesday to free a woman after a three-vehicle accident that resulted in minor injuries.

JoAnn Kinum Perko
JoAnn Kinum Perko, 84, of St. Augustine, Fla., passed away on Monday, June 16, 2008. She was the daughter of the late George and Estelle Stewart Kinum. JoAnn was predeceased by her husband, Carl Perko. She is survived by several cousins.

Willa Mae "Coonie" Hancock
Willa Mae "Coonie" Hancock passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, June 15, 2008, at the age of 93 after living a full and active life.

Bryant's departure is sad for county
Editor: For more than four years we have been very active lobbying (along with friends) our County Commissioners and other representatives over issues that directly impact our family and neighbors.

Letter: Wants apology for Playgirl/Playboy stories
Editor: I'm disgusted by your choice of a front-page headline on June 12, "Two featured in 'Playgirl,' 'Playboy' on stories about those who perform in pornography, heralding this immorality as achievement.

Playgirl/Playboy article unworthy of front page
Editor: I would like to reinforce the concern shown in the letters to the editor in the June 16 edition of the Record. Each letter expressed concern and indignation at the front page coverage on June 12 of the Playgirl/Playboy article.

Perspective
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, on how Washington politicians could learn from political journalist Tim Russert:

Obama promises change, but what kind?
By this point in the presidential campaign, the public knows that a charismatic Barack Obama wants sweeping "change." While the national media have often fallen hard for the Illinois senator's rhetoric -- MSNBC's Chris Matthews said he felt a "thrill going up my leg" during an Obama speech -- exactly what kind of change can Obama bring if he's elected in November?

Electoral College ignores will of the people
Editor: I guess the will of the people, doesn't mean anything anymore. All my life I have heard that things would be done according to the will of the people. I would like to know how someone could get the majority of the vote and the Electoral College would give vote to someone else.

Romano tries for City Seat 2
Lincolnville resident Peter Romano has announced he's running for the St. Augustine City Commission, competing against an attorney and the city's Parking and Traffic committee president.

Democrat seeks District 20 seat
Palm Coast businessman Doug Courtney, a Democrat, wants to win the District 20 House seat now occupied by state Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, who is running for a second term in November.

Local Watch
County resident and Menendez High School sophomore Emily Bauer earned a spot on the Florida Junior Olympics gymnastics team.

Local Watch 2
St. Augustine resident Kevin Phelan qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Shoal Creek in Birmingham, Ala. from July 21 to 26. Phelan shot rounds of 69-74 for a 1-over 143 in the qualifier at The Golf Club at Bridgewater in Lakeland. ...

Tiger, can you please forgive me?
Amid the barrage of commentary from this year's U.S. Open, one idiot columnist had the gall to write: "OK, I'll ask: Is Tiger faking this knee thing a little?"

Back on top
BOSTON -- On a new parquet floor below aging championship banners, the Boston Celtics won their 17th NBA title and a first one -- at last -- for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen -- their Big Three for a new generation.

FSU disappointed, again
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State's first visit to the College World Series in eight years ended just like its previous 18 -- no ring and a long, quiet trek home.

Win-Lose Situation
Tiger Woods walked tenderly out of Torrey Pines with a U.S. Open trophy he was destined to win on a left leg worse than anyone imagined. A group of children called out to him and Woods looked over and waved.

Beasley makes his case to Bulls
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Michael Beasley kept drifting away from the podium, and he couldn't help but notice people at the hotel next door peeking through the fence to catch a glimpse of the player the Chicago Bulls could draft No. 1.

Rays beat Cubs; Braves rally for win
CINCINNATI -- Derek Lowe earned his first road win since last August by pitching into the sixth inning, and Los Angeles extended its season-long domination of Cincinnati with a 6-1 victory Wednesday night.

CWS: LSU stays alive
OMAHA, Neb. -- Blake Dean hit a three-run double off the left-field wall in the bottom of the ninth inning to keep LSU alive in the College World Series with a 6-5 victory over Rice on Tuesday.

Panel seeks ban on steriods
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Thoroughbred racing took a major step toward outlawing steroids Tuesday when a safety panel created days after Eight Belles' fatal run in the Kentucky Derby recommended that they should be banned by January.

Mets finally let Randolph go
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Once he decided to fire Willie Randolph, New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya caught a flight to the West Coast, went to the team hotel and waited to deliver the news in person.

Local Watch
Ponte Vedra Beach golfer Brighid Hourihan carded a 12-over 84 in the opening round of the Junior Girls Championship at Plantation Golf and Country Club on Tuesday.

Wie on quest to live up to hype
Michelle Wie and Kevin Garnett are friends off the course and outside the ropes, brought together by William Morris Agency, a Hollywood marketing firm that also serves, among others, tennis star Serena Williams, actor Russell Crowe and rapper 50 Cent.

CWS: Stanford sends No. 1 Miami home
OMAHA, Neb. -- Sean Ratliff homered and Cord Phelps tripled in Stanford's four-run fifth inning, and the Cardinal ousted top-seeded Miami from the College World Series with an 8-3 victory Wednesday night.

Tiger's health raises questions
SAN DIEGO -- Paul Azinger answered his phone during the final round of a U.S. Open that attracted a prime-time audience, the Ryder Cup captain among those camped in front of the TV.

State offers free home windstorm inspections
TALLAHASSEE -- Homeowners across North Florida have maybe two months to sign up for the free windstorm inspections before the state reaches its goal of 400,000 free inspections. More than 340,000 Florida homeowners have already signed up for the program and residents are signing up at more than 1,000 per day.

Climate research cut to save fuel
WEST PALM BEACH -- They haven't rechristened a ship the Irony, but federal researchers are canceling and cutting back on voyages aimed at studying climate change and ocean ecosystems so they can save money on boat fuel.

Storms cause damage in Putnam
Severe thunderstorms rolled through Putnam County on Wednesday, knocking down power lines and trees and damaging several homes.

US: Shiites behind deadly truck bombing in Baghdad
BAGHDAD -- The U.S. military blamed a renegade Shiite militiaman on Wednesday for a truck bombing that killed 63 people in a Shiite area of Baghdad, saying he was trying to re-ignite sectarian violence for personal gain.

Rockets, airstrikes come hours before Gaza truce
JERUSALEM -- Palestinian militants fired 50 rockets and mortars toward Israel on Wednesday, and Israel responded with airstrikes in Gaza just hours before a truce was to take effect, illustrating how fragile the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas would be.

Car bomb shatters Baghdad calm, kills 51
BAGHDAD -- A car bomb ripped through a busy commercial street in a Shiite area of Baghdad on Tuesday, killing at least 51 people and wounding scores more in the deadliest blast in the capital in more than three months.

Hamas: Gaza cease-fire reached with Israel
JERUSALEM -- The Gaza Strip's ruling Hamas militant group said Tuesday it has reached a cease-fire with Israel meant to halt a cycle of deadly Palestinian rocket attacks that rained hundreds of rockets on Israel in the past year and Israeli reprisals that have killed hundreds of Palestinians.